Ingham Great Start Collaborative’s Play & Learn Groups are bringing joy, learning, and community connection to families across Ingham County. Designed for children from birth to age five and their caregivers, these free interactive sessions are available to families living in any of the twelve Ingham ISD school districts.
Led by trained Parent Educators and rooted in the Parents as Teachers model, each session blends fun with foundational skills that support early childhood development. Activities include:
- Story Time – Spark a love of reading through engaging books and storytelling.
- Music & Singing – Build rhythm, language, and movement skills in a joyful setting.
- Creative Arts – Enjoy sensory play, crafts, and hands-on exploration.
- Social Play – Children connect with peers while developing social-emotional skills.
More than just a playgroup, these sessions are a chance for caregivers to connect with one another, gain valuable parenting tools, and watch their children grow through meaningful, play-based learning.
Whether it’s singing a new song, painting with little hands, or hearing a favorite story for the first (or tenth!) time, Play & Learn Groups offer a warm, welcoming space for early learning and lifelong memories.
Learn more and find a group near you: Ingham ISD Playgroup Schedule
Recent Stories:
When school leaders work together, student voices grow stronger. Representatives from Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Shiawassee Counties recently gathered through the CARES Collaborative to meet with legislative officials and discuss education priorities, school funding, and the future of public education across the region. The CARES Collaborative—Capital Area Regional Education Strategy—was formed to strengthen regional advocacy efforts and ensure schools have a stronger, more unified voice in policy conversations.
Government can feel distant when you only read about it in textbooks. But for students in Spartan Project SEARCH, a recent visit to the Michigan Capitol turned civic learning into a real-world experience. From meeting with State Senator Sarah Anthony to observing activity inside the Senate chamber, students gained a firsthand look at the many people and moving parts that help serve communities across Michigan.




